If both former Boise State Broncos small forward Chandler Hutchison and Duke Blue Devils center Wendell Carter Jr. could play with the Chicago Bulls in the Vegas Summer League, that would be the ideal situation. But Carter Jr. looks to be sitting out of Summer League entirely. Meanwhile, Hutchison is returning to the floor for the first time since around the turn of the calendar year.
Observing the progress of Hutchison is important, but his fellow 2018 NBA Draft first round selection of the Bulls will be sitting in wait for the coming regular season. Hutchison will be a core part of the wing rotation for Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen, so he needs to show a good level of development.
Carter Jr. posted a player efficiency rating last season slightly above 15.0, while Hutchison was just above 8.0. The production of Hutchison was on the more disappointing end of the spectrum among 2018 first round picks last season. A -0.5 value over replacement player rating and -4.3 box plus/minus sat in the midst of the worst Bulls in 2018-19.
However, the length and defensive prowess of Hutchison gives him a high ceiling if his range develops and he starts to make more plays on both ends of the floor. Could Hutchison ever become a starting quality wing?
We don’t know the answer to that yet. But it is surely possible if he starts to progress more and more.